In the news

Team to the rescue after bicycle theft at team exercise

September 23, 2018

On Sunday, September 23, Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team carried out a voluntary training event in Penistone, South Yorkshire involving its members and with support from other services.

The event drew a crowd of onlookers, giving them a rare chance to see the team in action, up-close in their community.

During the training event, thieves made off with a bicycle belonging to a 4-year-old boy, who had been cycling the Trans Pennine Trail with his mother before stopping to watch the rescue teams at work.

Among the noise and general excitement surrounding the event, the family became distracted and, while watching the team in action, the boy’s bicycle was taken.

On hearing about the incident, Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team offered to provide support, with team members volunteering to contribute to the purchase of a replacement while issuing an appeal through social media to gather funds.

As the stolen bicycle had originally been sourced from local organisation Cycle Penistone CIC, the family had preferred that rescue team volunteers not be left out of pocket as a result of the theft.

Thanks to the appeal, several bicycles were subsequently offered as donations by members of the community – and the youngster was able to choose a colourful, character-themed replacement, which he and his family were grateful to receive.

Woodhead Mountain Rescue has also invited the family to visit its headquarters to meet the team and see its control room and rescue vehicles.

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